Level: Bachelor’s
Institution: University of Applied Forest Sciences Rottenburg
Role: Course instructor (lectures)

Overview

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to soil science for undergraduate students in agriculture and natural resources. It covers the fundamental principles that govern soil formation, properties, and functions, with an emphasis on understanding soils as a dynamic system that supports plant growth, regulates water and nutrient cycles, and underpins sustainable land management.

Learning objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• explain how soils form and evolve under different climate, organisms, relief, parent material, and time
• describe and interpret key physical soil properties (texture, structure, bulk density, porosity, water retention)
• understand essential soil chemical processes (pH, salinity, cation exchange, nutrient availability, carbonate/gypsum effects)
• summarize the role of soil organic matter and soil biology in fertility, aggregation, and ecosystem functioning
• interpret soil profiles and apply basic soil classification concepts and terminology
• select and apply appropriate laboratory methods to quantify fundamental soil properties
• connect soil properties to practical outcomes in agriculture, land management, and environmental quality

Theoretical sessions

Topics include:

• Soil formation and profile development (pedogenesis)
• Soil morphology: horizons, color, structure, consistency, and field description
• Soil physics: texture, structure, compaction, infiltration, water holding capacity
• Soil chemistry: pH, EC/salinity, CEC, nutrient cycling, carbonate and sodicity
• Soil biology: soil organisms, organic matter dynamics, decomposition, soil health
• Soil fertility basics and constraints in agricultural soils
• Soil classification and interpretation (introductory level)

Key topics

• Soil formation and horizon development
• Soil morphology and field description
• Soil physics: water, structure, texture
• Soil chemistry: pH, salinity, CEC, nutrients
• Soil biology and organic matter
• Soil fertility constraints and management basics
• Intro to soil classification and land evaluation concepts

Assessment (typical)

• quizzes / midterm and final exam (theory)

If you are a student in this course and need access to lecture slides, lab protocols, or assignments, please contact me.